Girardi's top priority is consistent lineup

TAMPA, Fla. - Although the race for the fifth starter will command much of the attention, Joe Girardi has another issue at the top of his spring training to-do list.

"I think our No. 1 concern is probably ironing out our lineup out of spring training," the Yankees manager said Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field during his opening news conference. "And in saying that, that's not something that's necessarily going to be the whole year. At times you tweak things, but you'd like to have a consistent lineup when we leave spring training. If we don't, that's part of it, but I really like the players that are assembled in camp and we just have to figure out exactly how all the parts fit."

Girardi has mentioned the Nos. 2 and 5 positions in the batting order as being the most unsettled.

It was assumed Nick Johnson was signed to replace Johnny Damon in the two hole, but Girardi is open to Curtis Granderson hitting second against righties and Johnson against lefties. Jorge Posada appears likely for the No. 5 spot, replacing Hideki Matsui, but Girardi has indicated in other offseason interviews that's not a certainty.

Who hits where isn't the lone question facing Girardi.

There's the question of who will play in centerfield, Granderson or Brett Gardner, with the other ending up in left.

"Right now, we have what I believe are two good centerfielders," Girardi said. "The criteria that will take place is we will look at what's best for the team and what we think gives us the best chance to win every day. We know Curtis can play center and we know Curtis will be able to play left, because he's done it before. As far as Gardy, we know that he can play center and I believe that he can learn to play left. He hasn't done any of that, but we really believe that he can pick it up fairly quickly."

You might have also heard about an opening at the back end of the Yankees' rotation.

Girardi, as he's done several times this offseason, said Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves would be in the mix along with the much more publicized contenders Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.

"I expect it to play out as a healthy competition," Girardi said. "It is a healthy competition for the fifth starting spot and I love that. I think that brings out the best in people."

Girardi likes his bullpen, mentioning either Hughes or Chamberlain likely to be Mariano Rivera's setup man, or possibly lefty Damaso Marte and Dave Robertson, both 2009 postseason standouts.

"I believe we have plenty of people to handle that spot," Girardi said of the setup role. "But you'd like to make it somewhat consistent."

Replacing the production of Damon and Matsui might concern fans but not Girardi.

"The concern is exactly where we put them, not that we don't have the right pieces," he said. "I believe we have the right pieces."

As for the glow of winning the World Series, Girardi said when pitchers and catchers begin their first official workout of the spring this morning, it will have permanently faded.

"As soon as tomorrow starts,'' Girardi said, "my mind-set is, let's get ready for 2010."